South West Residents Warned: Beware of ‘Free Laptop’ Phone Scam

• Phone Scam Alert
• Free Prize Fraud
• South West Safety

South West locals are advised to hang up if offered a free laptop by phone—scammers posing as our radio station are targeting sensitive personal information.

Stay Alert: Laptop Giveaway Scam Hits South West

South West residents have reported receiving phone calls from individuals claiming to represent our radio station, insisting that the recipient has won a free laptop. While the offer may sound exciting, the callers are, in fact, scammers. Their real goal is to trick people into sharing sensitive personal information—such as bank details, full names, home addresses or date of birth—under the false promise of a prize.

By exploiting the trust in familiar local brands like ours, these fraudsters aim to gain access to your private data. Unfortunately, many people fall prey to this tactic, believing they’ve hit the jackpot. The consequences can range from identity theft and unauthorised transactions to long-term credit damage.

How the Scam Works

• The Contact: You receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from our radio station. They say you’ve won a free laptop—often citing your full name, just enough to seem legitimate.
• The Hook: To claim the prize, you’re asked a series of questions—many more than necessary. They may ask for your address, date of birth, bank account numbers, social security number or even your mother’s maiden name.
• The Red Flags: Legitimate prize offers never require you to share sensitive financial or identity details over the phone. If a caller pressures you into revealing personal data or paying hidden fees, it’s most likely a scam.
• The Consequences: Once the scammer has your information, they can commit identity theft, open lines of credit in your name, or drain your bank account.

How to Protect Yourself

• Hang Up Immediately: If anyone calls you saying you’ve won a laptop or similar prize—and they ask for personal information—end the call at once.
• Don’t Share Sensitive Data: Protect your full name, date of birth, bank account or credit card numbers, Medicare number, Medicare code, tax file number, or passwords.
• Verify Through Official Channels: If you’re unsure, contact our radio station directly using verified phone numbers or check our official website or app notifications.
• Report Suspicious Calls: Notify the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), or your phone provider.
• Spread the Word: Talk to your family, friends and neighbours about this scam. Awareness is a powerful tool to prevent others from becoming victims.
• Use Security Tools: Consider call-blocking or anti-scam apps on your phone to screen unsolicited calls.

Why These Scams Succeed

There are several reasons why this type of scam resonates with people:

• Emotional Leverage: The promise of a valuable prize, like a laptop, elicits excitement and eagerness.
• Personalisation: Scammers often include your name or other details, giving the illusion of legitimacy.
• Urgency: They might say the offer expires soon, pressuring you into quick action.
• Familiar Branding: Impersonating familiar radio stations or companies adds credibility.

What to Do After You’ve Hung Up

• Stay Vigilant: Monitor your bank and credit accounts for unusual transactions.
• Change Your Passwords: If you shared any account or password details, update them immediately.
• Contact Authorities: Lodge a complaint with the ACCC’s Scamwatch, ACMA or your banking provider.
• Warn Others: Share your experience with friends, relatives or on local social media pages to help raise awareness.

Final Message

It’s easy to get swept up by the excitement of a “free laptop” call—but the safest response is always to hang up. Reputable businesses and media outlets will not ask for sensitive information over the phone in this way.

If you ever receive a suspicious call like this, protect yourself, report the incident, and let others know—together, we can stop these scammers in their tracks.